Inertia cutoff switch for vehicles



Dec. 26, 1950 K R. BATT INERTIA CUTOFF swrr cu FOR VEHICLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 2, 1949 7/ d um \NVENT R BY X14 ATTORNEY Dec. 26, 1950 K. R. BATT 2,535,384

INERTIA CUTOFF SWITCH FOR VEHICLES Filed June 2, 1949 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 3%. jb/W ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 26, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INERTIA CUTOFF SWITCH FOR VEHICLES Kenneth R. Batt, North Tonawanda, N. Y.

Applicationv June 2, 1949, Serial No. 96,683

. 13 Claims. 1

The invention relates to a vehicle signal system,

particularly to an inertia cut-01f switch forming part of the system and responsive to the turning movement of the vehicle to automatically shut oif turn-indicating lamps carried by the vehicle.

The invention contemplates the provision of a vehicle signal system having right and left indicating circuits including indicating lamps in each circuit and a manually operated circuit closer normally biased in a neutral open-circuit position for selectively closing either circuit to light the respective indicating lamps. Latch means are provided, including an armature under control of a solenoid, for maintaining said circuit closer in a selected circuit closing relation with one of the indicating circuits.

The invention further contemplates a centrifugally actuated switch responsive to the turning movement of the vehicle and including a circuit corelated with said indicator circuits and the solenoid for energizing the solenoid to release the latch means and surrender the circuit closer to the energy of the biasing means to open the selected closed indicator circuit and extinguish the lamps. y

The invention still further contemplates the provision of an auxiliary circuit, including a push button circuit closer, for energizing the solenoid to release the latch means without the aid of the centrifugally'actuated switch when the contemplated turning movement is not, accomplished.

The invention still further contemplates the provision of a vehicle signal system of the character described, including the inertia switch, which is cheap to manufacture, simple to operate, and efficient in performance. I

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following specification, and accompanying drawings, forming part of the specification, andin which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan View of a preferred embodiment of the invention, including a diagrammatic layout of the operating circuits, part of the respective switch housings being removed for clarity of illustration, the hand operated switch and inertia switch being each shown in a neutral position as assumed by --the respective switches when the vehicle is proceeding straight ahead. i

Fig. 2 is a plan view generally similar to Fig. 1 but with the source of power omitted, showing the respective switches in the positions assumed when the vehicle is making a right turn.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-section through the hand operated switch housing, taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the inertia switch and mounting bracket, some of the parts being shown in elevation, and particularly illustrating the preferred angular relation between the switch-supporting bracket and the vehiele fire-wall.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 5 refers generally to a substantially rectangular box preferably formed of metal and arranged with conventional circumscribing sidewalls 6 and a bottom 1 therebetween and attached thereto. A removable cover 8, shown partially in Figs. 1 and 2, is provided and may be conveniently secured to enlarged portions of intersecting sidewalls, as shown at 9, by means of a plurality of screws I0. Box 5 provides a housing for all of the mechanism except the inertia switch to be described later, and may be mounted on a motor vehicle wherever convenient to the driver, but preferably on the steering column.

A circuit closer I I, preferably in the form of a disk as shown, is rotatably mountedv on a pin l2 secured to bottom 1 and disposed in a plane normal to the axis thereof. Disk H is secured on pin l2 by a threaded stud l3. A radially extending. lever arm I4 is formed integrally with disk II and projects outwardly of box 5 through an elongated slot 88 in one of the sidewalls 6. A knob l6 adapted to be gripped by the hand is mounted on the free end of lever M. A pair of integral ears llll formed on opposite sides of lever arm I4 within box 5 cooperate with a pair of spaced lugs l9|9 on sidewall 6 in providing anchoring means for a pair of opposed tension springs I8-l8 which bias lever arm I4 in a central or neutral position.

A shallow indentation 20 having a rounded marginal'poriion 2| to provide a camming surface is formed. in the perimeter of disk I I in axial alignment with lever arm I4. A pair of relatively dee 2r indentations 22 and 23 are also formed in the perimeter of disk H, one on each side of indentation 223 and spaced equally therefrom.

A portion ofdisk H on each side of lever'arm M is cut away to provide shoulders 24'24 spaced equally circumferentially from lever arm M to' provide supports for a pair of pressure members 25 and 26 adapted to rotate with disk I I.

Switch El is mounted on base 1 and arranged with three parallel resilient arms 28, 29 and 30 having contact points adjacent the free ends thereof. Arms 28 and 3!! are provided with single contact points 3! and 32 directed inwardly and toward each other. A double contact point 33 is provided on intermediate arm 29. Arms 28, 29 and 30 will lie in the path of pressure member 25 when disk I l is rotated to indicate a turn to the right.

A similar switch 3 3 having parallel resilient arms 35, 35 and 37 is mounted on bottom I on the opposite side of disk I i adapted to lie in the path of pressure member 25 wherrthe; dish. is. rotated-1 to indicate a left turn. Contact points 33, 33 and 48, arranged similarly to contact points 3h 33* and 32, are disposed on arms 35; 35. andw i lre-r. spectively.

An armature 4! of magnetic materialis suitably mounted for oscillation on bottom I, as by pivot? pin-- ZZE; An integral detent 413.- having a rounded free, end and disposed so as. to be in,reg-. istry. with indenture 29-, when lever arm 14. is in a-flneutral position projects from the side of armature 4| adjacent disk ll. Detent 43.:isnormally urged into engagement with indenture 20. by a compression. spring A l: attached to the opposite side ofthe armature and the adjacent'sidewall B, as le y showninliigs. l and" 2. Detent 43, throughits; engagement in indenture 20, cooperates with tension springs IS in preventing unintentionalengagement of the pressure members with switches 2.1- and 34; Whenengagedin either of. the indentures 22 or- 2.3,. as will be explained, the'detent. retains disk Ii in circuit-closing relation with one of the lighting circuits.

An electroemagnet or. solenoid. 5.5 is convenientlymounted in box fishy a connecting member 46:, or in any other suitable manner. Solenoid 45 iszdisposed with its core adjacent armature.

Lam. aware that. switching. systems having elements generally similar to certain parts ofthe aforedescribed switching mechanism have been inuseheretofore. 1 am also aware that some ofthese signal systems have employed so-called automatic cut-off switches responsive to the turning-movement of thevehicle-to turn off the signal indicating; lamps of the system. On the whole, however; the switches employing automatic-shut off means require acomplicated systemof wiring,- and are so frequently out of orderthat auxiliary manually-operated mechanism must; be included in the system to insure their proper functioning.

In the inertia switch of my invention-Iprovide a completely automatic shut off switch which is simple inoperation and'very difficult-to get out of order. Auxiliary manual operating mechanism is not required since my switch operates in coordinated cooperation with the, lighting circuits.

In the preferred embodiment of w my inertia switch as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the numeral 4,8..designates a pendulum lever arranged with a weighted end 49 havingalever arm 59 extending radially therefrom. Pendulum 55 is mounted for. oscillation on a pivot pin rigidly affixed to a bracketEZtand is secured against displacement bya screw 53. A pair of switches 54 and 55 are also mounted onbracket 52, one said switch oneach side of lever arm 5taadjacent the free end thereof. Switchesv 54 and 55 are provided with resilientarms 56;: and 5], respectively, havingrespective. contact points. 58.; and 59; at their. outer". ends.

4 Switches 54 and are conveniently grounded at 82 and 83, respectively.

Bracket 52 is bent intermediate its ends, as at 53, to provide an end portion 68 adapted to be secured on a vertical portion of the vehicle firewall BI by means of a plurality of bolts or rivets 62.

While my inertia switch will function in the manner to be described when hung vertically from thefirewall; I have found? by experiment that more satisfactory operation is obtained when the pendulum lever is suspended at an angle of approximately 20 degrees below the horizontal; When th e pendulum is suspended vertically there is a tendency for the pendulum to oscillate when the-vehicle is traveling on rough roads and. unintentionally closing the circuit through the solenoid. Therefore, I bend bracket at 63 so that the pendulum supporting portion 64 is disposed at an angleiof approximately 70 degrees: from; the; vertical: face; of the firewall, as clearly shown in;.Fig.;4.-.

A cover 6 5:is: provided for-the inertia switch, upI QrtBd; on p rtion. 64' and held against. dis? placement by:;a:-circumscribingibead 6.8,1or in any other convenient manner.

Upon occasion. the; driver: of: the vehicle may change his; mind. about; making a turn. after he hasyc losed a selective lightingcircuittbymeans of i ;haya-proyidedmeansfor opening the ircuit andresettin the. diskin: its neutralposi ti'on, said means including apushbutton 61?. pro- J'fictcd through aisuitableopening in wall. 6 adjacent lever.- arm L4. and'g-rounded-tozthevehicle at 8]. Pushv button 6T issprovided-zwith a. contact point 683 arrangeduto engage contact-point Ba earried by a fixed arm-.lltsmounted onbottom 1 and connected tothe mag netx llii; as will be described.

The various wiring; circuits: essential to the complete signal systemare shown diagrammatical'ly-inlFligs. 1 2.111122. Itiwi-Il be noted that a lighting; circuit is: provided for separate lights which may be suitably: mounted on the vehicle to indicate the, intention: of the operator to 1 turn in a; .definitei direction, either to the rig-ht or to the left. These lights are connected to a source of electrical energy. ltiwill also be-noted that the lighting circuits are correlated through con: nected conductorsto theinertiaswitch mechanism andto the push-button mechanism.

Power-to operatethe signal system maybe supplied ibyi albattery l 'l orany -other source ofelectrical :energy. The battery is suitably grounded as indicated-M 12}. ion-example; to the frame ofthe vehicle. Current'from" battery H is carried through a-conductor -13 to-theintermediate arms 29 and 35 of switches :2-l and-3'4 respectively.

A pair: of signal 'lamps 14 grounded as indicated-"at :1 51, are mounted-on thevehicle-and connected to--arm-lfl by conductor lfii A ci-rcuit'to light: lamps 14 isclosedwhen contact point 31 is broughtinto contactingrelation with contact point 33. When lamps 14 are lighted? a-turnto the right is indicated. A similar pair-ofsignal lamps 11 'showngroundednt" are connectedto arm: 35 by conductor 19 andare lighted when; contact points 38 -and- 39 are brought intocontacting relation; Lamps-J l' when lighted indicate atom to the-left.

The electro-magnet i 5Fis=connected to arms; 30 and ilflbyconductors=--=and-*=8 I; and to switches nected to conductor 84 through conductor 85;

Asherelnbefore stated, the operatien-oimy signalusyssemi is: simple. example, we may assume that the driver intends'to make a right turn'and accordingly moves lever I4 upwardly. Rotation of disk II will force detent 43 out of its engagement'in indentation 20 against the energy of spring 44 through the cooperation of cam edge 2|. Pressuremember' 25 is carried forward by disk I I and contact points 3| and 33 are brought into contacting relation, closing the lighting circuit through conductors l3 and 16. Contact points 33 and 32 are also in contact and current is flowing through conductors 85 and 8| to magnet 45, and from the magnet through conductor 84 to switches 54 and 55. In the meantime, detent 43 has been forced into indentation 22 by spring 44 to hold the lighting circuit closed. Lamps 14 remain lighted.

. The turning movement of the vehicle has set up the inertia of the pendulum 48 which will oscillate on its pivot due to centrifugal force and will swing from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2. The free end of lever arm 50 will press against arms 56 and bring contacts 58 into circuit closing relation, whereupon magnet 45 becomes energized. Armature 4| lying in the effective flux of magnet 45 is attracted thereto and detent 43 is withdrawn from its engagement in indenture -22. Disk II is counter-rotated to its original position by springs l3, releasing the pressure of member 25 uponthe arms of spring 21 so that the said arms, due totheir resiliency, return to their original positions of rest. The circuit between switch 21 and battery H is now opened. Cutting off the current deenergizes the magnet 45 and frees the armature. Detent 43 is forced back into its original engagement in indenture 20 by spring 44. When the turning movement of the vehicle is accomplished, gravitation centralize's the switch and pendulum 48 will swing back to its initial position.

If the turn had been to the left, it is obvious that the operation would have been similar but in a reverse direction. Pressure member 26 would have been pressed upon the arms of switch 34 to close the circuit to lamps Ti, and detent 43 would have been engaged in indenture 23 to hold the circuit closed. Magnet 45 would be energized when lever arm 50 brought contacts 59 together. The subsequent withdrawal of detent 43 from indenture 23 by the attraction of armature 4| to magnet 45 would have opened the lighting circuit in the manner already described.

' Let us assume that the operator has moved lever l4 to light signal lamps 74 to indicate, for example, a right turn and later wishes to cancel the signal without making the turn. Contacts 68 and 69 are brought together by manual pressure on button 61. This will close a circuit through conductors 85 and 84 to energize magnet 45. The armature 4| will then be withdrawn from its engagement in indenture 22 and springs I8 will return disk II to its neutral position to open the lighting circuit, in the same manner heretofore described when magnet 45 is energized by the inertia switch.

Although I have described and illustrated the inertia member of my signal cut-off switch as a pendulum, it is to be understood that I am not limiting myself to this means. The concept of my invention comprehends the use of an inertia member responsive to centrifugal force set up inresponse to the turning movement of avehicle to close a circuit coordinated with the lighting circuit and using the same source of electrical energy through an electro-magnet. Accordingly, any form of centrifugal switch operating as described may be used, as for example, a rodhaving a sliding member adapted for translative movement along said rod to bring a pair of contact points together to close the circuit or a mercury globule confined in a hollow tube adapted to move in a direction contrary to the turning direction of the vehicle to contact electrodes projecting into the glass tube and in circuit relation with the lighting system as described.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An inertia cut-01f switch for a vehicle signal light system comprising a plurality of switches adapted for operative connection to said light system, a manual circuit-closer arranged to oper ate the switches, spring means normally biasing the circuit-closer in open circuit relation relative to the switches, latch means adapted to engage and maintain the circuit-closer in circuit-closing relation with the switches against the energy of the biasing means, an auxiliary circuit including an electro-magnet for releasing the latch means from its engagement with the circuitcloser and a pair of spaced apart circuit'closing switches connected to the first mentioned switches, and a dependent inertia member freelyv mounted for oscillation between the spaced apart switches, said inertia member being responsive to the turning movement of the vehicle to engage.

one of the spaced apart switches to close the auxiliary circuit and energize the electro-magnet, whereby the latch means is released and the circuit-closer is surrendered to the energy of the biasing means to be returned to its normal open circuit relation. 1

2. The structure of claim 1 in which the inertia member comprises a pendulum lever mounted for oscillation in a direction opposite to the turning direction of the vehicle, said lever having a weighted head and a radially extending arm adapted to engage one of the spaced apart switches to close said switch and energize the electro-magnet.

3. The structure of claim 2 in which the inertia member is mounted on the vehicle at a dependent angle of substantially 20 degrees from the horizontal.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which push-but,- ton means are provided for energizing the electro-magnet independently of the inertia member, including a push-button conveniently mounted on the vehicle, a circuit-closing switch activated by the push-button and a circuit connecting the last mentioned switch with the auxiliary circuit.

5. An inertia cut-off switch for a vehicle signal light system comprising a signal box, a rotatable member having a pair of spaced notches in its periphery mounted in said box, a pair of circumferentially spaced pressure members on the opposite marginal edges of the rotatable member, a plurality of switches in said box arranged for operative connection to the vehicle light system, a pair of said switches being disposed in the respective paths of the individual pressure mem bers for selective closing of an indicator circuit when contacted by the adjacent pressure member, spring means normally biasing the pressure member away from the switches, a pivotally mounted armature in the box adjacent the rotatable member, said armature having a spring urged detent alternately engageable in one of the notches to maintain a pressure member in circuit-closing contact with a said pair of switches against the energy of the biasing means, a solenoid in the box for withdrawing the detent from; thenotch, the solenoid. beingrso: disposed thatthe armature will lie in its effective. flux when energized, an auxiliary circuitzcorrelated: with eachpair of: switches and the solenoid, ineluding a pair of. spaced apart. circuitaclosingswitches, for energizing the solenoid, and a centrifugally actuated. circuit-closer between the. spaced. apartswitches, said circuit-closer being. responsive to the turning movement of the vehicle. to. contactone. of the. spacedrapart switches 1() to, close. the auxiliary circuit. and energize. the solenoid.

6..Ihe. structure. of claim; 5. in which pushbutton. means are: provided for energizing the solenoid independently of= the centrifugally ac- ,5; tuated. circuit-closer, including; a circuit-closin switch actuated by the push-button: and asecondary' circuit. interconnected. with the, auxiliary circuit.

'7 ..The structureof claim 6. in. which the ceng trifugally actuated circuit-closer comprises a pendulum lever including a planiform member terminating in a weighted. element. at one. of. its ends. pivotally mounted for free, oscillation between the spaced apart switches, said pendulum lever being responsive to the turn ng movement of the vehicle to swing on its pivot,.said spaced apart switches lying in the respective paths of rotation of the free end of the planiform member during oscillation whereby one said switch is contacted thereby to close the auxiliary circuit and energizes the solenoid.

8'. The structure of claim 7 in which a bracket is provided for supporting the centrifugallyactuated circuit-closer, said bracket including" a- 3-5;.

portion adapted for mounting ona vertical-port-ionof the vehicle and an integral portion dis posed in an angular relation to the vertical of: substantially '70 degrees upon which-- the circuitcloser ispivotally mounted. 40"

9;.An inertia cut-off switchfor use with: a vehicle sighal systemhaving right and left turn indicating lamps comprising a plurality of" switches arrangedinpairs and adapted" for connection to the respective right and left indi-- eating lamps, a manually controlled: circuits closer normally biased in a neutral position rela eve to theswitchesv and operabletoselectively close either pair of said switches, a latch adapted to-engage said: circuit-closerwand maintainsaid 50. circuit-closer in its selective circuit-closing: re'- lation; an electrormagnet. for disengaging: the? latch, and releasing the circu tt-closer. to the. energy of. the biasing means; a centrifugally. actuated switch; including a pairof: spaced; apart circuit-closing switches and a. pendulum. leven: mounted: therebetween: responsive "to: the; turning; movement: of the vehicle .to closeone: oiitth'eesaidi'. last mentioned switches and &an electrical; circuit through the. electrormagnet. connecting tlie2l1e;-..- spective; pairs of first.mentionedswitchesnand the; spaced apart switches of the; centrifugallyc' actmatechswitch. 4

10. The structure of: clai1n-9 in iwhichzthep coir-.- t'rifugally, actuated; sWitch,..including-- the pendu-o- 5 lumxlever andthe spaced apart: switches are supp, ported on a bracket having a; base portion; adapted.- for vertical mounting; on a. vehicle. and; an integral. angularly, disposed dependent: p011-- tion; upon which the.:severa1ielements:v of the; switch arei'mounted, the angularirelation between; Said portions-being such thatthe pendulum, lever:

8?: will lietin. an inclined... plane of. substantially 7.0; degrees from the. vertical when-.the; bracket: is mounted: on a. vehicle;

11. Aninertia'cuti-offrswitchf or azvehicle; come prising asignalbox-havinga bottom; port-iomandz circumscribin sidewalls, a. plurality of, circuit-- closing. switchesimounted, onsaid. bottom portion; and arranged; in. pairs adjacent opposite. sider walls, a manually controlled. circuit-closer I202: tatably mounted. in. the box between. thejrespecw tivepairsrof switches, .a. pair. of .circumferentially: spacedpressuremembers on. the circuit-c1oser,, said CiIZCHitrClOSBII being movable to, a. selective; position wherein. one: said:v pressure: member" will. engage: and close. adjacent pairwof switches; spring means normally biasing thBLCllCllilb-OIOSBIG in.a;.neutral. position; relative to. the; Switches. a paramagnetic; 1atch;.pivota1lys mounted on; the: bottom; portion. adjacent. the; circuitrclosen, in;- cluding an integral spring urged. detent,,means;- on. the: circuit-closer; for engaging the detentptoi maintain thev circuit-closer. in a. selective; posi. tion; with. a. said pressure. member in, circuit! closing relation. with. a. said; pair. of; switches: against the. energyxof the: spring biasing means, a..solenoid3 for withdrawing. the. detent from its. engagement with: the. circuiteclfoser, said. sole.- noid being sov arranged that, the latch. will lie. within the" effective. fluxqof: the solenoid when.- energized, a pivotally'mou'ntedcentrifugally ac,.- tuated second circuit-closer including. a pendu lum lever having aweightedhead andaradially extending. planiform. portiom, a. pair of spaced; apart: circuit-closing switches mounted on QppQ-. site sides of. the plani-form portion, saidipendi lum lever beingyresponsive tothe turningmove. ment. oixthe vehicle toengageaazfifiid spacediapart; switch to. closeacircuit, and an: electric circuit, interconnecting the respectivepairs ofv firstgm en,- ti n d .circuitc os ng sw tche nd; the-la t menti ned spaced.apartz swtch s. through. the. sol noid.

12; The-structure-of claim 11 in whichpushbutton means. are. proyidedior: energizing the solenoid independently; of the; centrifugally ac.- tuated second circuitrcloser and, associated. witches, including l-conveniently mounted push-- button, an, auxiliary circuit: interconnected; with the electric circuit throughthe; solenoid, a; circuit-closing switch. actuated; by the push-. button.

13. The structure-of, claim-112 in. which means are provided for mounting the pendulum include ing. abracket bent intermediate its ends,, one

portion of the bracketbeing. adapted for vertical: mounting on a vehicle, the other said portionbe-- ing bent.relativetov the first mentioned portion so that the pendulum lever mounted. thereon. in: parallel relation thereto. will depend at ananglev of substantially 20 degrees from the horizontal,

KENNETH R. BATT.

REFERENCES; CITED.

The following references are of record"in.the"

file of this patent? UNITED STAT-ES PATENTS Name" Date 572,147" Junghans et-ali Feb. 9'; 1926- 1 ',779',799 Blum- Oct; 28, 1930" 2,432,388 Curtiss' Dec; 95.1942" 

